The extracellular matrix dictates regional competence for tumour initiation.

The skin epidermis is constantly renewed throughout life1,2. Disruption of the balance between renewal and differentiation can lead to uncontrolled growth and tumour initiation3. However, the ways in which oncogenic mutations affect the balance between renewal and differentiation and lead to clonal expansion, cell competition, tissue colonization and tumour development are unknown. Here, through multidisciplinary approaches that combine in vivo clonal analysis using intravital microscopy, single-cell analysis and functional analysis, we show how SmoM2-a constitutively active oncogenic mutant version of Smoothened (SMO) that induces the development of basal cell carcinoma-affects clonal competition and tumour initiation in real time. We found that expressing SmoM2 in the ear epidermis of mice induced clonal expansion together with tumour initiation and invasion. By contrast, expressing SmoM2 in the back-skin epidermis led to a clonal expansion that induced lateral cell competition without dermal invasion and tumour formation. Single-cell analysis showed that oncogene expression was associated with a cellular reprogramming of adult interfollicular cells into an embryonic hair follicle progenitor (EHFP) state in the ear but not in the back skin. Comparisons between the ear and the back skin revealed that the dermis has a very different composition in these two skin types, with increased stiffness and a denser collagen I network in the back skin. Decreasing the expression of collagen I in the back skin through treatment with collagenase, chronic UV exposure or natural ageing overcame the natural resistance of back-skin basal cells to undergoing EHFP reprogramming and tumour initiation after SmoM2 expression. Altogether, our study shows that the composition of the extracellular matrix regulates how susceptible different regions of the body are to tumour initiation and invasion.

Milk production losses in Latxa dairy sheep associated with small ruminant lentivirus infection.

Visna/Maedi is a disease of sheep caused by small ruminant lentivirus (SRLV) infection that is widespread throughout the world and that has been recognized to be present in the Basque Country (Spain) since the early 1980's. Nearly seven decades of studies have improved the knowledge on its clinical signs and epidemiology. However, its slow progressive nature, subclinical most of the time, makes difficult to assess its real impact on productive traits, a question of critical importance to balance out the economic costs it causes and the benefits of designing and deploying an eradication program. Development of a dairy breeding program since the 90 s in the local Latxa sheep population has provided data on milk productivity in several flocks where SRLV infection prevalence has been continuously monitored. This study analyses retrospectively the association between SRLV prevalence and production variables during ten yearly lactations in three Latxa dairy flocks with medium-high SRLV seroprevalence. Our results indicate that average standard lactation of seropositive sheep was 6.7 % lower than controls. The largest differences (p < 0.001) were observed at the ewe lifetime peak of production between second and fourth lactations. Lifelong milk and lamb production data indicated even a higher impact, with costs rising up to nearly 50 €/ewe/year. This substantial production decrease associated with subclinical SRLV infection in Latxa dairy sheep supports the benefit of establishing a SRLV control program. A rough cost-benefit analysis indicated that even in a medium-yielding breed, testing expenses would be largely covered by milk production improvement.

Identification of the tumour transition states occurring during EMT.

In cancer, the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is associated with tumour stemness, metastasis and resistance to therapy. It has recently been proposed that, rather than being a binary process, EMT occurs through distinct intermediate states. However, there is no direct in vivo evidence for this idea. Here we screen a large panel of cell surface markers in skin and mammary primary tumours, and identify the existence of multiple tumour subpopulations associated with different EMT stages: from epithelial to completely mesenchymal states, passing through intermediate hybrid states. Although all EMT subpopulations presented similar tumour-propagating cell capacity, they displayed differences in cellular plasticity, invasiveness and metastatic potential. Their transcriptional and epigenetic landscapes identify the underlying gene regulatory networks, transcription factors and signalling pathways that control these different EMT transition states. Finally, these tumour subpopulations are localized in different niches that differentially regulate EMT transition states.

Risks of suffering tick-borne diseases in sheep translocated to a tick infested area: a laboratory approach for the investigation of an outbreak.

This study was designed to investigate an outbreak of high mortality that occurred in naïve Assaf sheep introduced into a Latxa sheep flock in the Basque Country, a region where piroplasmosis is endemic. To identify the causes of this outbreak, a panel of different methods, including traditional pathological, biopathological and parasitological analyses combined with recently developed molecular methods, was used. These novel molecular methods included a multiplex real-time PCR assay to screen for the presence of the most important tick-borne pathogens (piroplasms and anaplasmas), followed by a second species-specific multiplex real-time PCR assay for the identification of Anaplasma-positive samples. The identification of piroplasm-positive samples was carried out by a multiplexed microsphere-based suspension array using a Luminex(®) xMAP technology-based procedure. Anaplasmas and/or piroplasms were detected in 7/10 lambs and 11/13 ewes, with Babesia ovis being detected in 12 of the 23 animals, Theileria ovis in 6 and Anaplasma ovis in 4, both as single and mixed infections. Most of the animals infected with B. ovis had a marked decrease in the values of the red blood cell parameters. Ticks collected from the animals were identified as Riphicephalus bursa, recognised vector of B. ovis. Other haemolytic pathologies (clostridial disease, copper poisoning and leptospirosis) were ruled out and, considering all clinical, laboratory and epidemiological data, babesiosis by B. ovis was diagnosed. A detailed description of the clinical outcome, with ca. 60% of mortality, laboratory results and epidemiological findings are provided. The implications of the introduction of naïve animals into a piroplasmosis endemic area are discussed.

Oral vaccination with heat inactivated Mycobacterium bovis activates the complement system to protect against tuberculosis.

Tuberculosis (TB) remains a pandemic affecting billions of people worldwide, thus stressing the need for new vaccines. Defining the correlates of vaccine protection is essential to achieve this goal. In this study, we used the wild boar model for mycobacterial infection and TB to characterize the protective mechanisms elicited by a new heat inactivated Mycobacterium bovis vaccine (IV). Oral vaccination with the IV resulted in significantly lower culture and lesion scores, particularly in the thorax, suggesting that the IV might provide a novel vaccine for TB control with special impact on the prevention of pulmonary disease, which is one of the limitations of current vaccines. Oral vaccination with the IV induced an adaptive antibody response and activation of the innate immune response including the complement component C3 and inflammasome. Mycobacterial DNA/RNA was not involved in inflammasome activation but increased C3 production by a still unknown mechanism. The results also suggested a protective mechanism mediated by the activation of IFN-γ producing CD8+ T cells by MHC I antigen presenting dendritic cells (DCs) in response to vaccination with the IV, without a clear role for Th1 CD4+ T cells. These results support a role for DCs in triggering the immune response to the IV through a mechanism similar to the phagocyte response to PAMPs with a central role for C3 in protection against mycobacterial infection. Higher C3 levels may allow increased opsonophagocytosis and effective bacterial clearance, while interfering with CR3-mediated opsonic and nonopsonic phagocytosis of mycobacteria, a process that could be enhanced by specific antibodies against mycobacterial proteins induced by vaccination with the IV. These results suggest that the IV acts through novel mechanisms to protect against TB in wild boar.

Assessment of an oral Mycobacterium bovis BCG vaccine and an inactivated M. bovis preparation for wild boar in terms of adverse reactions, vaccine strain survival, and uptake by nontarget species.

Wildlife vaccination is increasingly being considered as an option for tuberculosis control. We combined data from laboratory trials and an ongoing field trial to assess the risk of an oral Mycobacterium bovis BCG vaccine and a prototype heat-inactivated Mycobacterium bovis preparation for Eurasian wild boar (Sus scrofa). We studied adverse reactions, BCG survival, BCG excretion, and bait uptake by nontarget species. No adverse reactions were observed after administration of BCG (n = 27) or inactivated M. bovis (n = 21). BCG was not found at necropsy (175 to 300 days postvaccination [n = 27]). No BCG excretion was detected in fecal samples (n = 162) or in urine or nasal, oral, or fecal swab samples at 258 days postvaccination (n = 29). In the field, we found no evidence of loss of BCG viability in baits collected after 36 h (temperature range, 11°C to 41°C). Camera trapping showed that wild boar (39%) and birds (56%) were the most frequent visitors to bait stations (selective feeders). Wild boar activity patterns were nocturnal, while diurnal activities were recorded for all bird species. We found large proportions of chewed capsules (29%) (likely ingestion of the vaccine) and lost baits (39%) (presumably consumed), and the proportion of chewed capsules showed a positive correlation with the presence of wild boar. Both results suggest proper bait consumption (68%). These results indicate that BCG vaccination in wild boar is safe and that, while bait consumption by other species is possible, this can be minimized by using selective cages and strict timing of bait deployment.

Amino acid signatures in the Ovar-DRB1 peptide-binding pockets are associated with Ovine Pulmonary Adenocarcinoma susceptibility/resistance.

Potential relationships between amino acid motifs of various alleles of the ovine major histocompatibility complex DR (Ovar-DR) molecule and occurrence of clinical OPA caused by JSRV were investigated in a case-control study. Latxa sheep (n=132) screened for presence/absence of pulmonary OPA lesions were typed for their Ovar-DRB1 2nd exon alleles by PCR and sequence-based typing (PCR-SBT). The polymorphic amino acid residues derived from the obtained 34 DRB1 protein variants were subjected to a logistic regression-based association study. The amino acids at several positions showed significant associations with the presence/absence of pulmonary OPA lesions; some of the residues were located within the peptide binding cleft of the DRB molecule, including pockets P1, P4, P7 and P9.

Protection against tuberculosis in Eurasian wild boar vaccinated with heat-inactivated Mycobacterium bovis.

Tuberculosis (TB) caused by Mycobacterium bovis and closely related members of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex continues to affect humans and animals worldwide and its control requires vaccination of wildlife reservoir species such as Eurasian wild boar (Sus scrofa). Vaccination efforts for TB control in wildlife have been based primarily on oral live BCG formulations. However, this is the first report of the use of oral inactivated vaccines for controlling TB in wildlife. In this study, four groups of 5 wild boar each were vaccinated with inactivated M. bovis by the oral and intramuscular routes, vaccinated with oral BCG or left unvaccinated as controls. All groups were later challenged with a field strain of M. bovis. The results of the IFN-gamma response, serum antibody levels, M. bovis culture, TB lesion scores, and the expression of C3 and MUT genes were compared between these four groups. The results suggested that vaccination with heat-inactivated M. bovis or BCG protect wild boar from TB. These results also encouraged testing combinations of BCG and inactivated M. bovis to vaccinate wild boar against TB. Vaccine formulations using heat-inactivated M. bovis for TB control in wildlife would have the advantage of being environmentally safe and more stable under field conditions when compared to live BCG vaccines. The antibody response and MUT expression levels can help differentiating between vaccinated and infected wild boar and as correlates of protective response in vaccinated animals. These results suggest that vaccine studies in free-living wild boar are now possible to reveal the full potential of protecting against TB using oral M. bovis inactivated and BCG vaccines.

Detection of PrPSc in lung and mammary gland is favored by the presence of Visna/maedi virus lesions in naturally coinfected sheep.

There are few reports on the pathogenesis of scrapie (Sc) and Visna/maedi virus (VMV) coinfections. The aim of this work was to study in vivo as well as post mortem both diseases in 91 sheep. Diagnosis of Sc and VMV infections allowed the distribution of animals into five groups according to the presence (+) or absence (-) of infection by Sc and VMV: Sc-/VMV-, Sc-/VMV+, Sc+/VMV- and Sc+/VMV+. The latter was divided into two subgroups, with and without VMV-induced lymphoid follicle hyperplasia (LFH), respectively. In both the lung and mammary gland, PrPSc deposits were found in the germinal center of hyperplasic lymphoid follicles in the subgroup of Sc+/VMV+ having VMV-induced LFH. This detection was always associated with (and likely preceded by) PrPSc observation in the corresponding lymph nodes. No PrPSc was found in other VMV-associated lesions. Animals suffering from scrapie had a statistically significantly lower mean age than the scrapie free animals at the time of death, with no apparent VMV influence. ARQ/ARQ genotype was the most abundant among the 91 ewes and the most frequent in scrapie-affected sheep. VMV infection does not seem to influence the scrapie risk group distribution among animals from the five groups established in this work. Altogether, these data indicate that certain VMV-induced lesions can favor PrPSc deposits in Sc non-target organs such as the lung and the mammary gland, making this coinfection an interesting field that warrants further research for a better comprehension of the pathogenesis of both diseases.

Atypical/Nor98 scrapie in the Basque Country: a case report of eight outbreaks.

BACKGROUND: Since 2002, an active surveillance program for transmissible spongiform encephalopathy in small ruminants in European Union countries allowed identification of a considerable number of atypical cases with similarities to the previously identified atypical scrapie cases termed Nor98. CASE PRESENTATION: Here we report molecular and neuropathological features of eight atypical/Nor98 scrapie cases detected between 2002 and 2009. Significant features of the affected sheep included: their relatively high ages (mean age 7.9 years, range between 4.3 and 12.8), their breed (all Latxa) and their PRNP genotypes (AFRQ/ALRQ, ALRR/ALRQ, AFRQ/AFRQ, AFRQ/AHQ, ALRQ/ALRH, ALRQ/ALRQ). All the sheep were confirmed as atypical scrapie by immunohistochemistry and immunoblotting. Two cases presented more PrP immunolabelling in cerebral cortex than in cerebellum. CONCLUSIONS: This work indicates that atypical scrapie constitutes the most common small ruminant transmissible spongiform encephalopathy form in Latxa sheep in the Spanish Basque Country. Moreover, a new genotype (ALRQ/ALRH) was found associated to atypical scrapie.

MHC class II DRB1 gene polymorphism in the pathogenesis of Maedi-Visna and pulmonary adenocarcinoma viral diseases in sheep.

Ovine pulmonary adenocarcinoma (OPA) and Maedi-Visna (Maedi) are two chronic respiratory diseases of retroviral origin which occur worldwide. It is known that different host genetic factors influence the outcome of viral infections. To determine if variation in the Mhc-DRB1 gene was associated with progression to these ovine diseases, sheep lungs with and without OPA and Maedi lesions were collected. A sequence-based method was applied and 40 different alleles were detected in the sample analysed. In the allele-by-allele association analysis, allele DRB1*0325 had a significant association with susceptibility to Maedi (P = 0.045). For OPA, DRB1*0143 and DRB1*0323 were significantly associated with susceptibility (P = 0.024 and P = 0.029), and allele DRB1*0702 was significantly associated with resistance (P = 0.012). Based on these results, the Mhc-DRB1 alleles were classified by effect in three categories-susceptible (S), resistant (R) and neutral (N)-and animals were reassigned the genotypes as S/S, S/R, S/N, R/R, R/N and N/N. In a second analysis, penalised logistic regression models including a flock effect were run. In Maedi, significant association was detected for the N/S heterozygote (P = 0.0007), but not for the S/S homozygote, probably as a result of the low number of S/S animals. In OPA, association was detected for both the S/S and R/R homozygotes (P = 0.005 and P = 0.047). This allele grouping method may be applied in association studies with highly variable genes. This is the first study demonstrating significant associations between sheep Mhc-DRB1 alleles and susceptibility to OPA and Maedi. Therefore, both diseases are suitable candidates for more comprehensive genetic studies.

Detection and quantification of pestivirus in experimentally infected pregnant ewes and their progeny.

BACKGROUND: Border disease virus (BDV) causes important reproductive losses, and eradication strategies focus on the identification and removal of persistently infected animals arising after in uterine infection. BDV infection dynamics were studied in 13 ewes experimentally infected with BDV-4 genotype at 3 phases of pregnancy [days 108 (group A), 76 (group B) and 55 (group C)] by quantification of viral RNA in blood collected on days -1 to parturition using quantitative real-time RT-PCR (qRT-PCR). Viral RNA loads were also measured in blood/foetal fluid and tissue samples from their offspring at lambing (3 foetuses, 7 stillborns, 15 lambs). qRT-PCR results were compared with those obtained by conventional RT-PCR and used to predict persistent infections. RESULTS: Viral RNA was detected in the ewes between days 2-15 p.i. The viraemia reached its highest peak between days 6-7 p.i. with a second peak at days 11-12 p.i. qRT-PCR was significantly faster to perform (less than 1 h) than conventional RT-PCR and detected BDV RNA in more ewes, being detection more continuous and prolonged in time. The virus was detected in peripheral blood in a higher percentage of lambs than in tissues, where differences in viral genome copies were more marked. Skin and cerebral cortex showed the highest viral RNA loads, and spleen and spinal cord the lowest. High viral RNA loads were observed in several animals in group B and all in group C, infected during middle and early foetal development, respectively, but also in one lamb from group A, infected during late foetal development. Serology and viral genome copy number estimates in blood and tissues were used to establish a quantitative cut-off threshold for transient viraemia. CONCLUSION: Viral RNA quantification showed potential for the discrimination between persistent infections and transient viraemia using single-time point blood sampling and raised questions regarding foetal immune system development and the occurrence of persistent infections.

Detection of Border disease virus in fetuses, stillbirths, and newborn lambs from natural and experimental infections.

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the use of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) antigen detection in blood or fetal fluids and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) amplification in tissues for routine laboratory diagnosis of Border disease virus (BDV) infection. Samples from 67 fetuses, 6 stillbirths, and 11 lambs from 25 commercial flocks with suspicion of BDV abortion and 3 fetuses, 7 stillbirths, and 15 lambs obtained from an experimental infection with a local isolate (BDV genotype 4) were investigated. Presence of BDV was detected by RT-PCR in 7.9% of fetuses, 50% of stillbirths, and 50% of lambs from the commercial flocks analyzed, corresponding to 8 of the 25 farms (32%). A similar percentage of the lambs and stillbirths from the experimental infection were positive by RT-PCR of tissue samples (54.5%), and the highest positivity was detected in lymph node, thyroid gland, and kidney. The current study revealed that RT-PCR analysis of stillbirths and lambs with clinical symptoms is more suitable than the analysis of fetuses to confirm the presence of BDV in a flock. Pestiviral antigen was detected by antigen ELISA in a high proportion of fetuses (24/58) and stillbirths (3/4) from commercial flocks, but in lambs, the presence of colostral antibodies masked the detection of the antigen by ELISA. Nevertheless, in lambs from the experimental infection that were not fed colostrum, antigen ELISA was less efficient than RT-PCR in detecting viral presence in stillbirths and lambs. Antigen ELISA is therefore recommended for fetuses with advanced autolysis that can adversely affect RNA integrity.

Colostrum and milk can transmit jaagsiekte retrovirus to lambs.

Ovine pulmonary adenocarcinoma (OPA) is a contagious disease caused by jaagsiekte sheep retrovirus (JSRV). In the three studies performed, we have obtained data of the importance of colostrum/milk (C/M) in the transmission of JSRV. In the first study, a group of sheep from a flock with a long history of OPA, samples from colostrum and peripheral blood leucocytes (PBLs) were collected. Two specific PCRs (U3-LTR and env of the JSRV) were carried out. Using U3PCR 8/34 sheep were positive in colostrum whereas with envPCR 7/34 were positive. From these animals only one was positive with U3PCR in the PBLs. Evidence of the transmission of JSRV infection by C/M was obtained in two more separate studies. In the second study, PBLs from five lambs from JSRV+ ewes and two from JSRV-ewes were tested by the U3PCR. They were fed C/M by their mothers during 3 months and slaughtered 7 months after birth. Three out of five lambs from the JSRV+ sheep become PBL positive at 3-4 months old and the other two were also positive at 4-6 months of age. One lamb of the JSRV-sheep became also PBL positive at an age of 3 months. In the third study, a group of lambs from JSRV negative mothers were fed with C/M from JSRV+ sheep and housed in separate unit. For comparison, another group of the same origin and maintained in another different unit, were fed with C/M containing a JSRV virus preparation. All lambs were blood sampled monthly and JSRV infection was detected as early as 15 days and several times onwards in both groups. Control groups fed with C/M from JSRV free flock and JSRV blood test negative sheep were always negative. Together these results indicate that suckling is an important natural transmission route for JSRV.

Characterization of enzootic nasal tumour virus of goats: complete sequence and tissue distribution.

The complete genome sequence of a new isolate of enzootic nasal tumour virus (ENTV-2), associated with enzootic nasal adenocarcinoma (ENA) of goats, was determined. The genome exhibits a genetic organization characteristic of beta-retroviruses. ENTV-2 is closely related to the retrovirus (ENTV-1) associated with enzootic adenocarcinoma of sheep, and to jaagsiekte retrovirus. The main sequence differences between these viruses reside in orfX, the U3 LTR, two small regions in gag and the transmembrane (TM) region of env. Sequence analysis of the TM region of env from several sheep and goats naturally affected by ENA suggested that ENTV-1 and ENTV-2 are distinct viruses rather than geographical variants. Although both viruses transform secretory epithelial cells of the ethmoid turbinate, the study of their tissue distribution using specific PCRs showed that ENTV-2 establishes a disseminated lymphoid infection whereas ENTV-1 is mainly confined to the tumour.